Michał Maciejowski

Biography

Maciejowski was born in Ostrów Wielkopolski. He completed The Poznań Cadet School for the Air Force Reserve (Szkoła Podchorążych Rezerwy Lotnictwa). He was mobilized in August 1939. On 17 September, he crossed the border with Romania, then he came to France and finally arrived in the United Kingdom. On 2 September 1940 he was assigned to No. 111 Squadron RAF, two days after he shot down his first plane. He was transferred to No. 249 Squadron RAF.[2][3] During the Battle of Britain, he claimed 4 confirmed kills, 1 probable and 1 damaged.

After training at 56 OTU in RAF Sutton Bridge, Maciejowski was posted to No. 317 Polish Fighter Squadron.[4] He also served in No. 316 Polish Fighter Squadron.

On 9 August 1943, in a flight over occupied France, he collided with the Spitfire piloted by flying officer Lech Kondracki and was captured by the Germans.[5]

He was credited with 9 (and 1 shared) kills, and 1 probable kills.

After the war ended he emigrated to Canada in 1947, changed his name to Michael Manson and started a family.

Michał Maciejowski died in Montreal in August 1988.

Awards

Virtuti Militari, Silver Cross
Cross of Valour (Poland), three times
Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)
Distinguished Flying Medal

References
  1. 29.10.1913 according to J. Cynk Polskie Siły Powietrzne w wojnie
  2. polishairforce.pl
  3. List of RAF aircrew in the Battle of Britain (L–N)
  4. Maciejowski w thesoutheastecho.co.uk
  5. polishairforce

Further reading
  • Wacław Król: Zarys dzialań polskiego lotnictva w Wielkiej Brytanii 1940-1945, WKiL Warszawa 1990,ISBN 83-206-0852-X
  • Jerzy B. Cynk, Polskie Siły Powietrzne 1939-1945, AJ-Press 2001, ISBN 83-7237-089-3
  • Hubert Kazimierz Kujawa. "Gazeta Ostrowska o Maciejewskim" (in Polish). Archived from the original on 3 May 2013. Retrieved 13 June 2012.
  • "Maciejowski w thesoutheastecho.co.uk". p. 1. Archived from the original on 1 March 2014. Retrieved 13 June 2012.
  • "Maciejowski w avstop.com". p. 1. Retrieved 13 June 2012.
  • "Maciejowski w acesofww2.com". p. 1. Retrieved 13 June 2012.
  • "Maciejowski w warbirdsresourcegroup.org". p. 1. Retrieved 13 June 2012.
  • "Pilots in Battle of Britain" (in Polish). p. 1. Retrieved 13 June 2012.
  • "photo". p. 1. Retrieved 15 June 2012.
  • "photo". p. 1. Retrieved 15 June 2012.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.